Gul, Sami make way to Pakistan ODI team

Shehzad, Akmal, Maqsood, Anwar dropped from limited-overs squad

LAHORE - Paceman Umar Gul and sensible opening batsman Sami Aslam made their ways to the Pakistan squad announced for England and Ireland One-day International (ODI) series.

Pakistan will play the final Test against England at The Oval starting Thursday before leaving for Ireland, where they play two one-day internationals in Dublin on August 18 and 20. The green caps will then play five ODIs against England in Southampton (August 24), Lord’s (August 27), Nottingham (August 30), Leeds (September 1) and Cardiff (September 4).

Umar Gul was recalled by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee after a 15-month lay-off while left-handed opener Sami Aslam impressed the selectors with his outstanding batting performance during the third Tests at Edgbaston. Azhar Ali will captained the ODI team.

Gul, 32-year-old, last played a one-day match in Dhaka against Bangladesh in April 2015 before being discarded over his lack of form and fitness. He has 173 one-day wickets from 126 matches in a storied career, marred by recent injury problems. Umar has not played for Pakistan since the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.

M Nawaz made his Pakistan debut in the Asia Cup in February and he is yet to take an international wicket, but had a productive time in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he finished with 13 wickets at an average of 18. He was also part of the A team tour to England this July.

Meanwhile Hasan, a 22-year-old right-arm seamer, is the only squad member without any experience in international cricket. He made his List A debut in 2013 and has taken 40 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 22.87. Like Nawaz, he has recent experience of English conditions thanks to his inclusion in Pakistan's A team tour last month.

Pacer M Irfan was one of those to be left out. In the past, Pakistan have handled him with great care, mindful of his injury-prone nature. His pace and bounce have been seen as assets, but with only 12 wickets in nine ODIs over the past 12 months, he has been overlooked by the new selection panel led by Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Others who haven't made the cut include Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood and Anwar Ali. While Shehzad and Akmal have fallen out of favour due to issues with indiscipline and inconsistency, Maqsood and Anwar have struggled with their recent form. Maqsood has not done much since starting his career with back-to-back fifties, while Anwar has gone wicketless in four of his last six matches.

In his statement after announcing the ODI team through a press release, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said: “While picking the squad, the team management and skipper were consulted and all concerned gave their consent in this regard. This squad is a blend of youth and experience and the selectors hoped it will do well. We have included some young players like Ali to build the team for the future.”

Pakistan has lost the last three of its four one-day series, sliding to as low as ninth in the limited-overs rankings.